Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the ileocecal appendix, an outgrowth of the large bowel.

Causes of appendicitis

Inflammation and bacterial proliferation is caused by obstruction of the appendix by faeces, an object or, more rarely, a tumour.

Symptoms of appendicitis

Pain in the right iliac fossa characterises appendicitis and it is often accompanied by vomiting although symptoms may vary depending on the patient's age.

Treatment of appendicitis

Appendicitis is generally mild but can become serious if it is not treated promptly. The infection is treated by an urgent appendectomy, without which the appendix may rupture and empty bacteria into the abdominal cavity causing acute peritonitis. As the appendix is not an essential organ, patients live entirely normally without it.